A pair of familiar faces are back with the US men's national team.
Michael Bradley and Brad Guzan have been recalled for the team's upcoming October friendlies against Peru and Colombia, but youth is still the priority in Dave Sarachan's latest squad.
“When you are building a team, at some point there has to be the proper blend of youth and experience," Sarachan said in a media release. "As we head into these last four friendlies of the year, I felt the timing was right to begin that transition. I think it’s important to do it earlier than a week before the Gold Cup or a World Cup Qualifier.
"Bringing in players like Michael and Brad, who have a vast amount of experience and can be a great resource for our younger players – both on and off the field – is an important step for us at this point in time.”
The US will host Colombia at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa on October 11 as FS1, UniMas and UDN will broadcast the match beginning at 5:30 PM. The final home match of the Kickoff Series pits USA against Peru on October 16 at Pratt & Whitney Stadium at Rentschler Field in East Hartford, Conn. ESPN2, UniMas and UDN will broadcast live, beginning at 5:30 PM.
FC Dallas' Reggie Cannon and New York City FC's Ben Sweat are each in line for their first cap, as is Jonathan Amon.
“Both players have had solid seasons, playing a lot of minutes while helping their clubs to good positions in the league," Sarachan said of Cannon and Sweat. "They both play in positions where I feel we need to improve our overall depth."
The team features nine MLSers, including Guzan, Bradey, Zack Steffen, Aaron Long, Cannon, Sweat, Kellyn Acosta, Tyler Adams and Wil Trapp.
Christian Pulisic also makes his return to the squad after missing September's friendlies with a minor injury. The average age of the 24 called up is 23 years, 168 days.
Below is the roster in full.
DETAILED ROSTER BY POSITION (Club; Caps/Goals):
GOALKEEPERS (3): Brad Guzan (Atlanta United FC; 58/0), Ethan Horvath (Club Brugge/BEL; 2/0), Zack Steffen (Columbus Crew SC; 6/0)
DEFENDERS (8): John Brooks (Wolfsburg/GER; 34/3), Reggie Cannon (FC Dallas; 0/0), Cameron Carter-Vickers (Swansea City/WAL; 5/0), Aaron Long (New York Red Bulls; 0/0), Matt Miazga (Nantes/FRA; 9/1), Antonee Robinson (Wigan Athletic/ENG; 4/0), Ben Sweat (New York City FC; 0/0), DeAndre Yedlin (Newcastle United/ENG; 54/0)
MIDFIELDERS (10): Kellyn Acosta (Colorado Rapids; 19/1), Tyler Adams (New York Red Bulls; 7/1), Jonathan Amon (Nordsjælland/DEN; 0/0), Michael Bradley (Toronto FC; 140/17), Julian Green (Greuther Fürth/GER; 12/4), Weston McKennie (Schalke/GER; 6/1),Christian Pulisic (Borussia Dortmund/GER; 21/9), Kenny Saief (Anderlecht/BEL; 2/0), Wil Trapp (Columbus Crew SC; 8/0), Tim Weah (Paris Saint-Germain/FRA; 5/1)
FORWARDS (3): Andrija Novakovich (Fortuna Sittard/NED; 2/0), Josh Sargent (Werder Bremen/GER; 3/1), Bobby Wood (Hannover 96/GER; 41/12)
